Ireland’s maker movement is growing — here’s how to join it without buying a 3D printer

Ireland has always had a “make it work” streak. From DIY fixes at home to student projects, cosplay builds, small product ideas, and custom parts for hobbies—more and more people are turning to 3D printing to bring ideas into the real world.

The good news: you don’t need to buy a 3D printer (or learn everything about settings, supports, and failed prints) to get a high-quality part in your hands.

At PrintIn3D, we help people across Ireland turn files and ideas into real, usable prints—quickly, affordably, and with friendly support when you need it.

What people in Ireland are using 3D printing for

When most people hear “3D printing,” they picture plastic toys or gadgets. In reality, the most common prints we see are practical and personal:

· Home fixes and upgrades: replacement clips, brackets, hooks, cable organisers, knobs, spacers

· Hobbies: RC parts, board game inserts, model stands, camera mounts, custom adapters

· Cosplay and props: lightweight parts, connectors, costume details

· Education and prototypes: student projects, proof-of-concept parts, simple enclosures

· Small business needs: jigs, fixtures, product samples, packaging inserts

If you can measure it (or model it), you can usually print it.

The part nobody tells you: owning a printer isn’t the same as getting a good print

Buying a printer is exciting—until you hit the learning curve.

Even with modern machines, real-world printing still involves choices that affect quality and strength: orientation, supports, wall thickness, infill, tolerances, and material behaviour. And when something fails, you lose time and material.

For many people, the goal isn’t “become a 3D printing expert.” The goal is simply: get the part.

A simpler option: print-on-demand, with local support

That’s where we come in.

PrintIn3D is a Dublin-based custom 3D printing service. You send us your file (or a link to a model), we check it for printability, and we print it for you. We ship across the Republic of Ireland and Europe with An Post, and we keep the process straightforward for first-time customers.

If you’re unsure about something, you can message us on WhatsApp (+353899605778) and we’ll help you figure out the next step.

How ordering works (simple and beginner-friendly)

We’ve designed the process to be easy:

1. Send your 3D file (.3mf, .stl, .stp/.step, .amf, .obj) or share a model link (for example, from MakerWorld).

2. Tell us the size and colour you want.

3. We check the file in our slicer to confirm it’s printable on our machine.

4. We print it and ship it—typical turnaround is 4–5 working days.

Don’t have a model yet? We also offer a picture-to-3D-model conversion service (subject to feasibility).

What to expect from PrintIn3D

We keep expectations clear so you get the result you want:

· Materials: we focus on reliable plastics like PLA (great for most everyday parts) and TPU (flexible prints).

· Build size: our printer’s maximum build volume is 256 × 256 × 256 mm. If your part is close to that limit, we’ll tell you upfront.

· Finishing: we don’t offer sanding/painting or post-processing—so what you receive is a clean, functional print with standard 3D print surface texture.

· Support: we’re responsive and approachable, especially for first-time customers.

Ready to join the maker movement?

If you’ve got a file ready, send it to us and we’ll take it from there.

· Order via our website: PrintIn3D.ie

· Or message us on WhatsApp: +353899605778 for quick help

Whether it’s a one-off replacement part or the first step in a bigger project, we’re here to help you make it real.